Heavenly Flame Gone Without a Trace

Qing Lin crouched beside the Two-Headed Fire Spirit Python's head, her small hand gently stroking its forehead covered in lava scales. The scales had originally carried the scorching heat of magma, yet beneath Qing Lin's palm, their heat gradually receded, and they even gave off a soft red glow, as though responding to her touch. She looked up at Xiao Yan. A trace of sweat, brought out by the intense heat, still clung to her lashes like scattered diamonds beneath the cavern's firelight. Her little face was full of seriousness, though her voice could not hide her worry. "Big Brother Xiao Yan, Little Fire told me through its thoughts that it has grown up in this underground magma since it was little. It knows every lava passage and every hidden dangerous place very well. It said there's a Heart Burning Cave in the deepest part, where the Fire Attribute Energy is so dense it's like fog that can't be dispersed. Maybe you can find the Heavenly Flame you want there. But... the temperature in Heart Burning Cave is ten times higher than it is here. Even the air can burn, and there are Lava Worms that burrow underground and specifically feed on living things. You have to be careful! If you can't hold on, don't force yourself. Have Little Fire bring you back immediately. We'll wait for you here!"

Xiao Yan looked at Qing Lin's bright eyes. They were like two stars reddened by the magma's reflection, filled with concern and dependence. He then glanced down at the docile Two-Headed Fire Spirit Python lying on the ground. It had long lost its former savagery. Its enormous heads rested lightly on the sand, both rubbing affectionately against Qing Lin's hem like a fawning large dog. Xiao Yan reached out and patted Qing Lin's head, gently wiping away the fine sweat from her cheek with his fingertips. Smiling, he said, "Don't worry. With Little Fire guiding us and Elder Yao helping from the side, nothing will happen. You stay in this lava cave and wait for me. I'll be back soon. If I really find the Heavenly Flame, I'll let you see what it looks like first thing."

Xiao Ding stepped forward and handed his waterskin to Xiao Yan. It was made from Desert Camel hide, moisture-proof and heat-insulating, and contained slightly cool Sand Spring Water. In a deep voice, he said, "The Fire Attribute Energy below is too violent. Remember to drink some water every half hour to moisten your throat. Don't let the fire energy invade your body and damage your heart meridians. If you encounter danger, don't fight recklessly. The Fire Spirit Python is fast and has strong Explosive Power. Have it carry you out, and we'll be here to support you at any time." Xiao Li also came over, patted Xiao Yan's shoulder, and grinned brightly. "If you really find some treasure, remember to save a piece of ore tempered by the Heavenly Flame for your second brother! I heard that stuff can infuse weapons with Fire Attribute power. Cutting Demonic Beasts with one would be like slicing tofu. It'd be perfect for blessing my spear so fighting monsters will be easier in the future!"

Xiao Yan smiled as he accepted the waterskin and tucked it into the cloth bag at his waist. Then he turned and climbed onto the Two-Headed Fire Spirit Python's back. Though its scales still retained magma's residual heat, the faint purple barrier formed by Xiao Yan's circulating Dou Qi insulated him from it, leaving only a pleasantly warm sensation without the slightest burning pain. After sitting firmly, he gently patted the Fire Spirit Python's head. "Little Fire, let's go. Take us to Heart Burning Cave."

The Two-Headed Fire Spirit Python let out a docile hiss, low but powerful. Its huge body slowly rose like a moving volcanic pillar and swam toward the magma lake. It moved with extraordinary agility through the magma. The Dark red magma automatically parted around it, rippling with layers of golden waves. This was the sign of the Fire Spirit Python's Fire Attribute Energy resonating with the magma, as though even the surging magma around it had become its companion. Sitting on its back, Xiao Yan looked down at the rolling magma below. Golden flame patterns occasionally flashed through it like swimming Fire Serpents. He Clearly felt the surrounding Fire Attribute Energy growing denser and denser. Even the Dou Qi within him began to stir slightly, as though it wanted to merge with the flames Between heaven and earth. Every breath carried a scorching heat.

"Little Yanzi, this Fire Spirit Python is quite a rare mount. With the strength of a Fifth-tier Demonic Beast, it practically has no natural enemies in this magma. Even the fiercest Lava Worms have to avoid it," Elder Yao's voice sounded in Xiao Yan's mind, carrying a hint of admiration. "But the temperature in Heart Burning Cave has likely exceeded the limit a Dou Practitioner can endure. Even the air can ignite. Solely relying on your Dou Qi Barrier, you won't be able to last long. I'll attach the Bone Spirit Cold Flame to your body. It can help you block the high temperature and handle emergencies if anything happens. This cold flame can restrain ordinary flames. Even if you encounter a magma eruption, it can keep you safe."

As soon as he finished speaking, Xiao Yan felt a cool aura spread from his Dantian. Pale blue Bone Spirit Cold Flame draped over his body like thin gauze, with fragmented silver light appearing along the flame's edges, sharply contrasting with the blistering heat around him. The high temperature that had made him Unable to Breathe was instantly shut out. Even his breathing became much smoother, as if he were standing beside a clear spring in the desert. Warmth filled his heart as he said to Elder Yao in his mind, "Thank you, Elder Yao. With you here, I feel much more at ease."

The Two-Headed Fire Spirit Python grew faster and faster, shooting toward the center depths of the magma lake like an arrow released from a bow. Along the way, Xiao Yan witnessed countless strange sights he had never seen before. In some places, enormous Lava Pillars rose from the magma. These stone pillars stood dozens of meters tall like massive columns holding up the sky, their surfaces covered in cracked patterns. Golden sparks would occasionally Dart out from the fissures, turning into tiny flames the moment they landed and making the sand hiss. Elsewhere, burning chunks of lava floated in the air. Some were as large as millstones, while others were no bigger than fists. They resembled fiery islands suspended in the air, radiating terrifying heat that distorted the air into wavering afterimages, as though the entire space were burning.

The Fire Spirit Python seemed long accustomed to such sights and deftly Avoided the obstacles along the way. It first skillfully circled around a Lava Pillar that was about to collapse. Behind it, the pillar crashed into the magma with a thunderous boom, sending magma waves several meters high into the air. It then leapt over a boiling magma vortex, its central magma swirling with an eerie black color like an abyss capable of devouring everything. Finally, it swam toward a huge Lava Cave surrounded by magma. The closer it drew to the cave, the more violent the surrounding Fire Attribute Energy became. Countless tiny flames seemed to dance and collide in the air, making crackling sounds. Even the Bone Spirit Cold Flame around Xiao Yan swayed slightly, and a faint red glow Appeared at the edge of its pale blue flames, as though resisting the surrounding heat.

"The Heart Burning Cave is ahead. The concentration of Fire Attribute Energy here is three times stronger than outside. Even my Soul Power can feel the burning sensation," Elder Yao said gravely. "I can sense that extremely pure Fire Attribute Energy once fluctuated here, along with a Faint lotus fragrance. This is the unique aura of the Green Lotus Core Flame. When this Heavenly Flame is gentle, it releases an elegant lotus fragrance. When it becomes violent, it burns with golden flames and makes the world Change color. It seems to have remained here for quite some time—at least a hundred years."

Xiao Yan's heart tightened, and he stared intently at the Lava Cave ahead. A layer of golden fire mist Wreathed around the entrance. It resembled auspicious clouds from a fairyland, yet carried deadly heat. Coming within several meters of it brought a Stinging pain to the skin. The Two-Headed Fire Spirit Python slowly swam into the cave. Its interior was far wider than expected, with a ceiling over a hundred meters high. Inverted Lava Stalactites hung above like enormous crystal chandeliers, each glowing fiery red and illuminating the entire cave as brightly as day. Even the cracks in the rocks at the corners could be seen clearly. At the center of the cave lay a relatively calm Magma Pool. Unlike the churning magma outside, the magma here was a deep Dark Gold, its surface giving off a faint golden radiance like solidified gold. Fine ripples occasionally spread across it, as though something were stirring beneath the surface.

"This is it!" Xiao Yan's heart surged with excitement. He jumped off the Fire Spirit Python's back and quickly walked to the Magma Pool's edge. He Clearly felt that the Fire Attribute Energy here was so dense it had nearly Condensed into substance. Even the air had a thick, viscous texture, and a wave of Stinging pain spread across his skin. If not for the Bone Spirit Cold Flame protecting him, he would have long since been burned. He stared fixedly at the Magma Pool, his gaze constantly sweeping across its surface as he tried to find the legendary Green Lotus Core Flame—"the color of a green lotus, its leaves like flames, its core like flowing light." He did not even dare blink.

At that moment, his gaze was drawn to a black rock at the edge of the Magma Pool. The rock had been blackened by the magma, and its surface was covered with tiny melted holes. Resting quietly in a depression in the rock was a palm-sized, lotus-shaped leaf. The entire leaf was pale green, its edges marked with golden Flame Patterns, as though it had been carved from jade. Though it had lost all life, it still gave off a Faint lotus fragrance. The scent was elegant and rich, entirely different from the sulfurous smell around it. Even after being soaked in the heat beside the magma, it had not been burned away. Instead, its fragrance had become even stronger. Xiao Yan's heart stirred. Carefully extending his hand, he wrapped his palm in Dou Qi and Picked up the leaf. It felt slightly cool in his hand and was completely unaffected by the high temperature. The patterns on the leaf still flickered faintly, as though the last trace of spiritual energy remained within it.

"This is the Associated Lotus Leaf of the Green Lotus Core Flame!" Elder Yao's voice rang out in Xiao Yan's mind with surprise before turning heavy. "Unfortunately, the leaf has already lost its spirituality. The energy in its veins is nearly gone, which means the Heavenly Flame left a long time ago. Let me sense it more carefully..." Elder Yao's Soul Power spread like an invisible net over the entire Magma Pool. A moment later, disappointment colored his voice. "Little Yanzi, what a pity. The Green Lotus Core Flame really was here, and the remaining energy traces are very clear. It should have been nurtured here for at least a hundred years, transforming this Magma Pool into an environment suitable for its survival. But it has already left. It did not leave too long ago. The Fire Attribute Energy at the bottom of the pool still carries a trace of its spirituality, but that domineering and lively Heavenly Flame aura has vanished without a trace. Not even a fragment remains."

Xiao Yan's heart sank, as though a basin of cold water had been poured over him. He hurriedly crouched and reached toward the Magma Pool. Under the Bone Spirit Cold Flame's protection, his palm went directly into the magma without the slightest burning pain. He felt only the magma's thickness and warmth. He Clearly felt that although the energy at the pool's bottom remained dense, it lacked the liveliness and dominance unique to a Heavenly Flame. Only residual warmth remained, like extinguished charcoal that no longer possessed its former vitality. Still unwilling to give up, he circulated the Dou Qi in his body and let it seep through his palm into the magma, trying to sense deeper energy. Yet no matter how he searched, he could not find the Heavenly Flame aura that made his heart tremble with yearning, as though the Green Lotus Core Flame had never been here at all.

"How could this be..." Xiao Yan Slowly stood up, looking at the green lotus leaf in his hand before glancing at the Magma Pool, calm as a mirror. His face was full of disappointment. He had endured countless dangers since leaving Stone Spring Oasis, crossing the scorching desert, splitting apart Hard rock, and venturing deep into this sunless underground magma. He had thought he would find traces of the Green Lotus Core Flame, only to discover that he had still arrived a step too late and obtained nothing but an Associated Lotus Leaf that had lost its spirituality.

Just then, his gaze fell on another rock beside the Magma Pool. A silvery-white scale was Stained with the rock. It was roughly the size of a palm, with a faint purple gleam at its edges. Its surface was as smooth as a mirror, like carefully polished jade, and it carried a barely perceptible pressure entirely unlike the Fire Spirit Python's rough scales. Confused, Xiao Yan reached out and Picked up the scale. It felt icy cold in his hand and even slightly suppressed the Bone Spirit Cold Flame around him, causing the pale blue flames to contract faintly.

"This is... a Snake Scale!" Elder Yao's voice suddenly turned grave, carrying a trace of disbelief. "And it isn't from an ordinary snake. Look carefully. There are faint purple-gold patterns along the scale's edge. These are markings that only the Snake People Tribe's royal family possesses. There is also a trace of kingly aura on it. This is Queen Medusa's scale!"

"Queen Medusa?" Xiao Yan was startled, and the scale in his hand nearly fell. "You mean Queen Medusa of the Snake People Tribe in the Tagor Desert? The legendary snake people sovereign who can take human form and possesses unfathomable strength?"

"That's right," Elder Yao said solemnly. "Queen Medusa is the absolute ruler of the Snake People Tribe. Her strength has reached at least the Dou Emperor realm, far beyond your current level. Furthermore, she is a descendant of the ancient Seven-Colored Sky Swallowing Python, with extremely strong control over Fire Attribute Energy. She can even directly absorb flames to cultivate. Examine this scale carefully. It still carries a trace of the Green Lotus Core Flame's aura. Though faint, it is fresh, so it must have been Stained with it recently. It seems Queen Medusa took the Green Lotus Core Flame."

Xiao Yan frowned deeply, his heart full of confusion. "Why would Queen Medusa take the Green Lotus Core Flame? Hasn't the Snake People Tribe always occupied Snake People City in the south of the Tagor Desert? Why would she venture so deeply into this underground magma? This place is at least several hundred miles from Snake People City, and the route is filled with dangerous desert and lava. There was no need for her to travel this far, was there?"

"Perhaps it was to break through her realm," Elder Yao speculated thoughtfully. "Queen Medusa cultivates the Snake People Tribe's secret art, the Nine Revolutions Snake Body Technique. They say that upon reaching the ninth revolution, one can evolve into an ancient Seven-Colored Sky Swallowing Python and gain World-destroying power. But this technique is extremely difficult to advance, especially from the eighth revolution to the ninth. It requires a vast amount of energy and special heavenly treasures. As a Heavenly Flame, the Green Lotus Core Flame Contains incomparably pure Fire Attribute Energy. It could help her break through her bottleneck and perhaps even evolve into a Stronger ancient snake species. Moreover, the Snake People Tribe and human mercenaries have never gotten along. They often clash over territory and resources. She may have taken the Heavenly Flame to strengthen her tribe against human mercenary attacks. After all, with a Heavenly Flame in hand, she could forge more powerful weapons and medicinal pills."

The Two-Headed Fire Spirit Python seemed to sense Xiao Yan's disappointment. Its huge head gently rubbed against his arm, and it let out a low hiss with a comforting meaning, as though saying, Don't be sad. Xiao Yan stroked its head, then looked at the green lotus leaf and Snake Scale in his hand. His heart calmed somewhat. Although he had failed to find the Heavenly Flame, he had at least confirmed where the Green Lotus Core Flame had gone and obtained its Associated Lotus Leaf. Having absorbed a century's worth of Heavenly Flame spirituality, this leaf would be of great use in refining medicine or tempering the body in the future. It was not as though he had gained nothing.

"Little Yanzi, don't lose heart," Elder Yao said comfortingly. "The Green Lotus Core Flame being taken by Queen Medusa may not be a bad thing. The Snake People Tribe's headquarters, Snake People City, is deep within the Black Rock Mountain Range in the southern Tagor Desert. As long as we find Snake People City, we can find Queen Medusa and figure out a way to take back the Heavenly Flame. Besides, this Associated Lotus Leaf has great use. Not only can it assist cultivation, it can also serve as a guidepost for locating the Green Lotus Core Flame. As long as the Heavenly Flame is nearby, it will emit a Faint glow and help you lock onto the direction."

Xiao Yan nodded, took a deep breath, and suppressed the disappointment in his heart. He carefully placed the green lotus leaf and Snake Scale into his Storage Ring. Elder Yao had given him the Storage Ring, and its spacious interior could isolate outside energy interference, making it ideal for storing these two treasures. He looked up at the Two-Headed Fire Spirit Python and smiled. "Little Fire, thank you for bringing us here. Although we didn't find the Heavenly Flame, we figured out where it went. Let's go back and put Qing Lin and the others at ease. We shouldn't keep them waiting too long."

The Two-Headed Fire Spirit Python let out a docile hiss and slowly lowered its body so Xiao Yan could climb onto its back. As it turned to leave, Xiao Yan looked back at the Magma Pool, his gaze resolute. Green Lotus Core Flame, Queen Medusa—no matter where you are in Snake People City, no matter how strong you are, I will find you and take back the Heavenly Flame!

The Fire Spirit Python carried Xiao Yan back along the path they had taken. The sights along the way remained scorching. Lava Pillars still erupted with sparks, and lava fragments still floated and burned, yet Xiao Yan's state of mind was entirely different from before. Though he had failed to find the Heavenly Flame, he now had a clear next goal, and his heart had become even more determined. When he rode the Fire Spirit Python back to the Lava Cave entrance, Qing Lin saw him at once. She immediately ran toward him like a little cannonball, her face full of anxiety as she grabbed his arm and looked him over from top to bottom. "Big Brother Xiao Yan, are you all right? Are you hurt? Did you find the Heavenly Flame?"

Xiao Yan jumped down from the Fire Spirit Python's back, patted Qing Lin's head, and smiled as he waved the green lotus leaf in his hand. Under the firelight, it gave off a faint green radiance, and its lotus fragrance spread around them. "I didn't find the Heavenly Flame, but I found this. It's the Associated Lotus Leaf of the Green Lotus Core Flame. And we found out who took the Heavenly Flame. It was Queen Medusa of the Snake People Tribe. She brought the Heavenly Flame back to Snake People City."

Xiao Ding and Xiao Li also gathered around. Seeing that Xiao Yan was safe and had even returned with a clue, both let out sighs of relief. Xiao Li leaned closer, staring curiously at the green lotus leaf. He wanted to touch it but did not dare, Afraid of being burned. "This is a leaf from the Heavenly Flame? It looks ordinary enough. Why isn't it burning? And it smells so nice, like desert snow lotus." Xiao Yan smiled and explained, "This is an Associated Lotus Leaf. It can withstand high temperatures and has absorbed the Heavenly Flame's spiritual energy, which is why it gives off a fragrance. It's not only a treasure—it's also a guidepost for finding the Heavenly Flame. In the future, we can follow it to Snake People City."

Xiao Ding pondered aloud, "Queen Medusa... the Snake People Tribe has always been mysterious, and their strength is Powerful. Not only do they have Queen Medusa, a Dou Emperor, but they also have many Dou Wang and Dou Ling level experts. Taking the Heavenly Flame from her will not be easy. We need to plan for the long term. First, we should return to Stone Spring Oasis and ask around about Snake People City's exact location. Then we can contact mercenaries familiar with the Snake People Tribe, learn about their habits and fighting strength, and make a thorough plan."

Xiao Yan nodded and looked toward the south of the Tagor Desert, his gaze unwavering. Snake People City, Queen Medusa, Green Lotus Core Flame—I'm coming! Within the Lava Cave, magma continued to surge and heat waves continued to scorch the air, yet everyone's hearts were now filled with direction and strength. Though this underground magma journey had failed to achieve its ultimate goal, they had unexpectedly uncovered the Heavenly Flame's whereabouts and gained the precious Associated Lotus Leaf. Their true challenge had only just begun.